Published on : 09/29/2020
On May 26, 2010, in northern Italy between Brunico and Peio Terme, Damien Monier won the 17th stage of the Giro under the colors of Cofidis. Ten years later, the team, which joined the World Tour this season, is back on the most prestigious Italian competition of the year.
On May 26, 2010, in northern Italy between Brunico and Peio Terme, Damien Monier won the 17th stage of the Giro under the colors of Cofidis. Ten years later, the team, which joined the World Tour this season, is back on the most prestigious Italian competition of the year.
A team built around Elia Viviani
Despite the expansion of Covid-19 and the turmoil it has brought to the calendar, the second major Tour of the season kicks off this Saturday from Sicily. Team Cofidis looks forward to this event with enthusiasm and determination, especially as the Italian presence has been strengthened in the off-season with the arrival of Elia Viviani.
The sprinter, who has 97 victories in the professional category, will be the team's driving force on the roads of the Giro. Although he was unable to fully exploit his chances in Tour de France, Elia is hoping that his performance in Giro would be more successful.
The sprinter will be able to count on his young teammate Simone Consonni, who finished 3rd in the stage of Lyon on the Tour de France. Kenneth Vanbilsen and Nathan Haas will accompany the two Italians; both of them opened their season in Australia with Elia. Fabio Sabatini, who has been sick these last few days, will not be present with the team.
Edet and Hansen: focus on the mountain
Stéphane Rossetto may try his luck as a climber, but the team is also made up of climbers. Nicolas Edet, who has been climbing since the Tour de France and who was the best climber of Paris-Nice, will also be part of the team. Along with him, Denmark's Jesper Hansen and Mathias Le Turnier (who is competing in his second big Tour) will also try their luck. Moreover, this is the first major Tour for Sébastien Chavanel as a sports director, who will work side by side with Roberto Damiani.
THEY SAID...
Elia VIVIANI: "
As an Italian sprinter, I’m delighted to participate in the most prestigious 21 day competition in my country. I have an exceptional history with the Giro: my first Giro victory in 2015 and the incredible Giro of 2018. The goal will be to use the work I was able to do during the Tour de France in order to be at the top in the first two weeks. I am now back in good shape, I appreciate the way I finished in Paris and I am very motivated to take part in the Giro, where the support will inevitably be even bigger."
Cédric VASSEUR:
"It is with great joy that we are back on the roads of the Giro d'Italia with our charismatic leader: Elia Viviani. He will do his utmost to be ready for this major event of the season. We know there will be opportunities in the sprint and the team will do everything to help Elia find the openings. This very special Giro in October will certainly be full of surprises and there will certainly be opportunities to win stages. It's up to us to seize them with talent!"
